10 Amazing Health Benefits of Olive Leaf and How to Make Your Own Olive Leaf Tea

The wonderful qualities of olive oil are well known to us all, but did you know you can also use the leaves of this magnificent tree? A variety of new studies reveal what ancient cultures knew for centuries – infusion made ​​of the olive leaves has extraordinary health properties that work against a wide variety of diseases and symptoms.

It all starts with phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are actually chemicals found in plants (phyto in Greek means plant) and aim to protect the plant against diseases and various pests. When we consume the plants, we absorb the phytochemicals into our body and allow them to also protect us from those hazards. One of those phytochemicals found in olive leaves is called oleuropein, and this is one of the main active ingredients responsible for it’s health benefits.

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The Amazing health benefits of olive leaves:

1. Inhibition and prevention of cancer
Olive leaf extract has been shown to have anti melanoma effect in mice. Late phase tumor treatment significantly reduced tumor volume. Other studies have also shown protective capabilities against breast cancer and showed an arrested growth in a tissue culture of human breast cancer cells at an early stage in the growth cycle.

2. Building bone
A Spanish study from 2011 found that oleuropein stimulates production of bone-building cells (osteoblasts), thus preventing the loss of bone density and fights osteoporosis. Find here more information about the 4 steps to prevent osteoporosis.

3. Anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties
The oleuropein, and other compound found in olive leaf, have a unique feature that makes the leaves particularly effective in fighting against various micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. These substances impair the ability of the viruses to create amino acids, thus preventing their ability to reproduce and multiply. These compounds act just against the micro-organisms, actually achieving what antibiotics could not achieve – a targeted attack of the problem, instead of attacking the micro-organisms along with the body.

4. Antioxidant effect
Olive leaf also contains many phenols, antioxidants that neutralize the action of free radicals. Free radicals are active substances that damage the process of creating DNA. A damaged replication of DNA causes our cells to age more rapidly.

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5. Anti-inflammatory properties
One of the most common uses of olive leaf is healing various infections in the body. The anti-microbial activity of oleuropein reduces and improves the inflammation. You may also be interested to read my article about foods that reduce inflammation in your body.

6. Lowering blood pressure
It has been found that oleuropein is able to relax the blood vessels, lower blood pressure and even prevent the formation of blood clots. In addition, olive leaf also helps to stop irregular heartbeat, improve blood flow in the coronary arteries and balances blood sugar levels. Find here more information on how to reduce high blood pressure naturally.

7. Fighting cholesterol
In addition to all these benefits, olive leaf is able to fight the formation of bad cholesterol (LDL) by preventing its oxidation. This oxidized cholesterol is considered the “bad” cholesterol and is detrimental to our health. Read here more about how to lower cholesterol naturally.

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8. Strengthening the immune system
Olive leaves have traditionally been used to enhance the functioning of the immune system and enhance the body’s efforts to fight invading organisms. A liquid extract made from fresh olive leaves was shown to have an antioxidant capacity almost double green tea extract and 4 time higher than vitamin C. Find here more natural substances to improve your immune system.

9. Medicine against cold
Because olive leaf works excellently against different viruses, it is effective in preventing and treating viral diseases that often have no cure by conventional medicine. Among these viral diseases are cold, flu and even herpes.

10. Treating other diseases
Since olive leaf works against bacteria, viruses and even against fungal infections (such as candida), it is effective for treating a wide variety of diseases. Among other things, the leaves act against malaria, polio, psoriasis, allergies, colds, tuberculosis, various infections (in the lungs, liver, teeth, ears and many others), chronic fatigue and more.

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How to prepare olive leaf tea at home?

Olive leaf can be purchased as an extract in health stores or online. You can purchase olive leaf extract in a liquid form like this one or as a dried powder in capsules like this one. Always make sure the extract was made from organic olive leaves to make sure it’s pesticide free.

If you have access to olive trees, you can make your own tea, just make sure the leaves are of a good quality and haven’t been sprayed with pesticides. Pick olive leaves in the mid-morning when any dew has dried. The leaves should ideally be oven-dried at just below 150 deg F. (65 deg C). When the leaves are dry, crush them by hand and remove the stalks. Steep 1 tsp of dried leaves in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. You may drink three cups a day. The tea is bitter so sweeten with honey. Take this tea with food to avoid stomach irritation.

Side Effects
Olive leaf considers to be safe, but can interfere with certain chemotherapy drugs. In addition, people with low blood pressure are better to pay attention to their blood pressure, so the extract doesn’t reduce it too much. As a general rule, it’s always best to check with your doctor first before taking it.

If you love olive oil, you may also be interested to read my article about the amazing health benefits of olive oil:

soaking ALL of your fruits and veggies in white vinegar or even apple cider vinegar kills the mold spores as well as e coli, salmonella, so washing these in soapy water? I know soap does kill bacteria, and better than using that hand sanitizer. because the hand sanitizer also kills the GOOD bacteria that you need. I mean its great when your out and about and need it, but not all the time.
just me, I try to use natural as much as possible

Hi Leann, there are many cultivars and varieties of the olive tree, Olea Europaea. Each olive cultivar is given a name, but they all part of the Olea Europaea specie. I have read that for a strong extract of olive leaf, Manzanillo or Mission olive leaves are known for having a good percentage of oleuropein but many of the other Olea Europaea cultivars should be fine (except of the Chinese cultivar that don’t contain sufficient oleuropein).

Hi Jen, I’ve read that Olea oleaster, the wild-olive, has been considered by various botanists a subspecie of the cultivated olive tree, Olea europea. I’ve seen in alibaba.com olive leaf extract made of Olea oleaster. I also saw in ScienceDirect a study that involved Olea oleaster leaves extract.

You can use fresh leaves, but then you need to triple the amount, as dried herbs are usually more concentrated than fresh leaves so the ratio is usually 1 part dried leaves to 3 parts fresh leaves (or in this case instead of 1 tsp of dried leaf put 3 tsp of fresh leaves).

I love olive leaf extract, I’ve been using it since 2 years from now and can’t live without it..all the family actually can’t! I buy it online by an italian company (myvitaly) good product quality, and many benefits!

If you drink it as a tea, then you can incorporate it in your daily diet and it is generally considered safe. However if you take it in a concentrated form (such as in a supplement), you will need to read the product label for instructions. Also if you take any medications, you will need to consult with your doctor before taking a supplement to make sure it doesn’t interfere with the current medications you take.

A couple of weeks ago, I ate some olives and I planted the seeds a week ago…I left toun for a week and now its a healthy looking plant and since I read here that olive leaves are healthy for me, i picked a few leaves and mix it with my food…I live off my little green garden…